Tory senator: My let-killers-hang idea has lots of support

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Tory senator: My let-killers-hang idea has lots of support

Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, senator boisvenu, ottawa

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The Canadian Press

Date: Thursday Feb. 2, 2012 9:56 PM ET

OTTAWA — A Conservative senator says he's been inundated with expressions of support for his unusual idea of helping murder convicts commit suicide.

Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu says he's received 500 to 600 messages of support in only one day.

Boisvenu had made an apparently off-the-cuff suggestion that killers be given rope in their prison cell -- so that they could decide whether to hang themselves.

Although he apologized immediately for the language he used yesterday, today Boisvenu is sounding a little less apologetic.

He's now saying he simply expressed an opinion many Canadians hold.

Boisvenu was a prominent victims' rights advocate whose daughter was murdered, and who lost another daughter in a car accident. He was named to the Senate last year by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Comments are now closed for this story

Dixie from Alberta
said

He has my vote! Lets have a referendum on it.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

Polls consistently show that a majority of Canadians are THEORETICALLY supportive of the death penalty. However, when it comes to IMPLEMENTING and PRACTICING the ultimate "punishment," a significant portion of this group bows out. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that the Senator has received a great many thumbs-up from Canadians in the last 24 hours. Ultimately, I don't think that this "response" is overwhelmingly meaningful. (I oppose capital punishment principally because I do not trust government enough to execute the requisite flawlessness.)

Dianna7
said

People facing life in prison and people with terminal illnesses should have the right to end their lives if they choose to do so. Their life their choice!

Pip
said

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states: "2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:(a) freedom of conscience and religion;(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedomof the press and other media of communication;"Some posters opposing the senator on this site, exercising the rights outlined above, would deny the senator those same rights, and even have him removed from office for exercising those same rights that are guaranteed to every citizen by the Charter. How hypocritical is that? Are some people more equal than others when it comes to expressing an opinion?

Tough Love
said

I think the senator has a wonderful idea....I have had enough of our justice system being laughed at on the global stage. I am disgusted with the bleeding heart Liberal rhetoric that insists that those who commit heinous crimes must have their rights and dignity respected. These monsters displayed ZERO respect for their victims and as such have waived their entitlement to the same.

Doug
said

Thanks Senator. The convicted criminals and their Lib/NDP supporters are pretty angry!Good! Things are changing thanks to the courage of people who do not fear political correctness and speak their minds.

Conservative
said

As a Christian, I personally believe only God should make the choice of when a person dies, for any other it is a crime against humanity and God... I can not support a government that would commit such a crime...

31 Bravo
said

I vote we bring back public executions starting with Paul Bernardo. I vote we bring back good old fashion, healthy moral values. I vote that people should start being held accountable for their actions (unless they are severely mentally ill) and I believe that this country which once had these values had a strong, moral society. I like the Senators comments, I think he is right and he only spoke out what the rest of us think. Is it barbaric to hold someone accountable for barbaric actions? It is not up to us as individuals to take the law into our own hands, however the government has a responsibility to have these laws in place to protect law abiding citizens from people like the Paul Bernardo's of this world.

mike
said

One year in prison is a lot of my tax dollars. 6 feet of rope a whole lot cheaper. Go for it I bet the victims families would not complain. Thumbs up for this man saying what he did in politically correct Canada.

Jason Daniel Baker, Toronto
said

Okay so let me see if I have this right: you'd like to see anyone accused of brutal murder to have the option of hanging themselves in their cells in order to save money for the taxpayers? So you'd want to facilitate suicide for David Milgaard, Steven Truscott, Guy Paul Morin and countless other innocent peoplewho went to prison for the crimes of others? Think about what you're saying, Senator - then close your mouth before it gathers more foot. No ONE is saying "Hug-a-thug" here. We just see past mistakes the system has made - which each cost the taxpayer plenty! Think!

NBCon
said

this debate is long overdue. cases of 1st degree murder always should be punished with capital punishment. its pre-mediated and pre planned and not a heat of the moment bad decision. The shafias and so many others should have already been executed. Time for our government to get a backbone and tackle this issue.

Stewie
said

Once a murderer gets into one of those nice new prisons cells with 3 square meals per day he's not going to want to kill himself, they will want to enjoy there retirement. I think it's fantastic Harper taking money from pensioners to pay for his new prisons. But this senator needs help.

northbound
said

Why not run for Prime Minister?

Marta
said

Perhaps when we offer terminally ill patients to die with dignity will anyone even onsider this idea. To those who think that only the guilty will kill themselves: Wake up! Depression tends to lead to suiicide. This guy needs to watch less American news.

Jim in Ontario
said

The man makes a very good point. I personally feel we should have the death penalty as well.

Alfredo Griffin
said

For many of you from the left field bleachers (ie lib, ndp, commies) are you not the very ones who believe that we should have the right to take our own life? Well if you are all of suicide, then maybe you should stop pretending how shocked you are at what the Senator said. All he is saying is maybe you should give a criminal who faces the rest of his/her life in prison the option to take his own life. Assisted suicide, so why pretend that you don't like it when you are the very one's who are lobbying for it.

Dean in Abby
said

Why are people bent out of shape because he has expressed his point of view which happens to coincide with many of us? Stop being so "politically correct" already. Is it going to get to the point where we all have to apologize for everything we say? Stop it with your phony "concern". There are many of us who would just as soon see killers sent to the gallows or whatever method available. What will happen when none of us can say what we think or feel? So long as it isn't racist or hateful, what's the issue?

Liberal
said

I'm a liberal and when I first read this article was a bit taken back but when I also read this man's history I can fully understand his passionate view.

rob
said

he is a brave man who dares to speak out, and cares for the innocent victims and now a bunch of felow senators who have nothing to do but wasting tax payers money are questioning him??? of course they want to show that they are doing somthing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Justin Robinson
said

I wholeheartedly support this idea! Not only are our prisons overcrowded, but the whole planet is overcrowded. On top of that, the entire notion of a life sentence seems extremely childish. We lock these people away to make ourselves feel better, because we can tell ourselves "Oh, they're suffering for what they've done." Just give them the option to off themselves and put an end to the burden they put on a society they've clearly rejected.

Woody
said

How about we hold a referendum: Those who vote to keep the murderers and child killers in prison for the rest of their lives can pay the tax dollars to do so. Everyone who votes to bring back the death penalty in clear-cut cases (me) can not pay their hard-earned money to keep these scum alive. Harsh? How about talking to the victims families to adjust your thinking.

sympathy
said

I wonder how other Senators feel about this...you know, the ones that have had a bullied grandchild hang themselves with a rope, or scarf? Let's undo all of the progress we have made on people with mental health issues, it's ok you hear voices, hang yourself.I understand he is talking about murderers, but there are about as many of them in prisons as there are people supporting him.Give the right to die to people who are suffering debilitating injuries first, then we will start to think about those who deserve to suffer.

Earl
said

The Senator's idea is a damned good one. Typically the soft-headed bleeding hearts are shocked by this but I'd lay you dollars to donuts that a huge majority of Canadians are in agreement with him. I sure am. I'd be more than happy to contribute to the 'rope' fund!

Paul D.
said

Oh my god.....why do we have to be so barbaric!!!!

George Thompson
said

Could it be that the man is simply grieving still?It is hard to find compassion when you have had extreme violence and moral idiocy visited upon you, like the Senator has. I give him credit for continuing to be a public servant. As for his "rope" idea .....well, he really ought to pass the file onto a colleague in the chamber of sober second thought. It appears the man has simply been bumped off his life's path.

John Lethbridge
said

I have two comments: First, our State has a duty to protect the sanctity of life, and that applies to inmates, handicaps, old folks, unborn children, sick people and every other Canadian citizen. Given susceptible folks the means to end their life, as the Senator has suggested, is not in keeping with the State's God-given (and basic humane fundamental) mandate. Second, in dealing out punishment for a crime, there are instances where the State has the biblical/God-given authority to exact a life-ending sentence, such as for murder-one beyond any reasonable shade of a doubt - Romans 13:4. This isn't necessarily about deterent, it is about exacting appropriate (the ultimate...) punishment that fits the crime. There is no joy, no winning for anyone in capital punishment. We're not sadistic morons that celebrate when convicts are put to death in the US, but at the same time its the right thing to do. When you give an inmate a piece of rope to hang himself, you basically condone a death penalty but as a society (or at least the outspoken left) you don't have the balls to take ownership for this kind of (appropriate) punishment.

Big Bob in Ottawa
said

Seriously people if these convicts want to end it we needn't give them a rope, they will find a way. Anyways who's to say it's not worse being caged for life? The death penalty debate is over or are you righties going to prove Chretien right? You all listened to what he said and know he's rubbing his knuckles on this one are you really going to give him that satisfaction?

Andrew in Vancouver
said

Boisvenu is out of control. First he apologized and now he is not apologetic. My arguments against assisted suicide are consistent. as are my reasons for wanting to bring back the death penalty. One of those reasons is that we must take murder seriously.

Karl
said

The death penalty is wrong. Mistakenly convicted people are killed. Mudering a murderer doesn't make a saint. Giving a convict the means to commit suicide is even more cowardly than killing them yourself. Perhaps all the people who were mistakely convicted of murder could pay a visit to the Senator and all who support this idea and have a polite discussion. Also, I'm going to assume that people suggesting that prison is a cakewalk have never spent any time there. Just sayin'.

Joe Canadian
said

Hell, I would even support a new "rope tax"....add in rapists and child molesters.....and for all you that understand his pain....respectfully, unless it has happened to you (and I hope it has not) then we cannot begin to understand his pain.

Robert in Burnaby
said

I have no problem with his opinion. When a cougar attacks a human, we kill the cougar even though it is only doing what nature intended it to do. But when a man rapes and kills children or murders dozens of people we put them in a jail cell for a number of years and then try to rehabilitate them into the public?I'd sooner say feed them to the cougars.

Alexandria
said

For all you nay sayers. Talk to the parents of a murdered and mutilated ChildTalk to the Children of a murdered Mother or Father.If you take a life and it is proven to be true you should know that you will be executed by the state forwith no lolly gagging around for years. Let the Lawyers earn their money some other way.

Robin
said

Really?how much longer before we start suggesting special needs individuals kill themselves? Do they not use money from the system too? Did not another heinous political figure from the 19030/40's also advocate this?Such a sad slippery slope. Murder is murder.. state sanctioned or otherwise.

Hans, Nakusp
said

(tongue in cheek)I'm surprised only 500 to 600 people wrote supporting emails. I think that there are a lot more sick people who would agree with this man.Hey, why not provide ropes to the homeless, drug addicts, homosexuals, prostitutes, the unemployed, illegal immigrants and any other undesirables . Man, could this country save a pile of money!

Peter from Quebec
said

First of all, I support free speech, he should be allow to speak his mind. Isn't that what democracy is all about?Second I support his solution for overcrowding prisons. He is not suggesting to bring back capital punishment. Capital punishment may have the possibility of killing an innocent person. By giving a rope to a convicted person, if this person never really commit the crime, human nature tells me this person will stay to clear his own name. A convicted and actual killer will eventually come to the conclusion of killing oneself.

Moderate Canadian
said

Reformacons: elected these guys to run Canada?

lmo
said

Can anyone of you honestly say you would feel any differant than this man had you walked in his same shoes.Ya, Thought So.

Yea right.... Victoria BC
said

The good old United States of America have many states that have to death penity, and look how low their crime rate is, I think it is a GREAT idea to follow the US. While we are at it, why don't we just burn our Canadian passports and the flag too. Get bent, so stupid to think this will solve anything. Bloody idiot.

E.
said

It is neither barbaric nor infantile. There is not one good reason for a murderer that is convicted beyond any doubt, to not be executed. In fact the family of the victim should be allowed to pull the switch them selves. In a world where resources are becoming tight and governments are drowning in debt, keeping them alive and paying for them is idiotic.

irv from calgary
said

@E.L. - Could you enlighten us as to WHAT "social issues" leads someone to kidnap, brutally rape and then murder someone? Stealing a loaf of bread because you cannot afford to feed your children - now THAT'S a social issue.

fredinprinceton
said

I think this Senator is right on the money. If the government doesn't want to do it, and the inmate does, I find this to be the most logical solution and it saves millions of tax dollars from supporting Club Fed that could be far better spent on programs that benefit society as a whole.

J.C.
said

Canada no longer has the death penalty so why would this Senator even suggest allowing a prisoner to choose suicide. That would not be punishment. If they would rather die than live then obviously a life or long term sentence behind bars would be more punishment than death to them. I'd sooner see them suffer the consequences of their actions than give them an easy way out.

Matt
said

Great idea, finally someone looking after our tax dollars!

Mark in Newmarket
said

I am with the Senator on this one, murderers who have been found guilty and sentenced should be given their own rope to do with their lives as they wish. I for one have no sympathy for anyone who willingly takes the life of another human being and as for the case of the person who raped and murdered the Senators daughter, he should be the first one. Also, why should my tax dollars go towards paying for these sick, evil people who are beyond redemption, to house them, feed them, give them good medicare, prescription drugs, access to education while our seniors who have paid their way, lived good lives suffer on a small fixed income and who are trying to make ends meet to cover all these rising costs. I say hang'em!

rat-ripper
said

Its sad to see so many quote the Bible and not know the true meaning of what is says . You have to know which statutes were done away with that were necessary before His time but had no place after .Mat 5:38 You have heard that it was said: "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth;" (Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21)Mat 5:39 but I say to you, Do not resist the evil; but whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also.Mat 5:40 And to him desiring to sue you, and to take your tunic, allow him also to have the coat.Mat 5:41 And whoever shall compel you to go one mile, go two with him.Mat 5:42 He asking you to give, and he wishing to borrow from you, do not turn away.The terms "eye for eye, tooth for tooth" is often misunderstood. It does not connote revenge or vengeance. It is speaking of, in legal terms, restoration. In essence, if I steal a cow from you, I have to repay you a cow, nothing more, nothing less. If I cause you a loss of some sort, I have to pay back the exact value of that loss.Jesus' words in this passage was from what is called the "sermon on the mount". In this sermon, Christ was expanding the law. In essence, He was hitting at those who think they achieved righteousness by keeping the law. He revealed there was more to the law than what they thought, so it was impossible for sinful humans to truly keep the law.The problem with 99% of those who interpret the Bible these days is that they have no clue what it really says becasue they do not know Hebrew, Greek or Aramiac.

Big Bob in Ottawa
said

So lets rehash the death penalty debate. While we are at it lets add cutting off fingers and other body parts to the list of penalties available. Maybe we should include stoning in the Omnibus crime Bill to deter pot smoking. Hey if we can't beat 'em in Afghanistan might as well join 'em eh!

steve
said

I don't agree with senator, but he does have a point we place to much value on criminals and protecting them yet the take and take and their victims are left with nothing but emtional scars and missing loved ones....bring back capital punishment Cost of Jail for murderer $120 000.00 cost of trial for murders....millions depending on length, cost of bullet $0.10

Josh
said

The idea should be expanded to place a rope in the cell of every convict - regardless of crime. If you were convicted of stealing a watch from Walmart and wanted to relieve the tax payer of the burden of keeping you in prison, paying for your welfare once you get out of prison, paying for police to investigate when you re-offend, paying for the courts time to prosecute you again, and paying for more jail time, then not only should you be allowed to hang yourself, the Canadian Government should encourage it!

maya
said

Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu all I have to say is your mind is as sick those murder convicts you are hoping to kill.

Danny Dinosaur
said

Many "great" leaders have had lots of support for their ideas. That does not make them right. All of the worst atrocities in human history had lots of support. Who is this clown and why was he given a senate appointment?

DCI
said

The death penalty should never have been taken away in the first plsce. Today we would have a lot less crime in this country. The criminals know that they get a free lawyer; at the taxpayers expence, and if convicted, they get an appeal or 3 or 4 of them. By now the taxpayers have payed for the bloodsucking lawyers new home. Then they go on death row.. oh ; that's a laugh. Spend 20 more years in jail. Our cost 150 million dollars ! Then , Harper, says, " build more prisons..."Good political answer. So the murder, rape, child killers, police killers, and repeat offenders just keep going on. While the law byding people suffer at the hands of a stupid system that does more harm than good...The crime rate in China is about .03 %. If you kill someone there; you know it's the end for you. Plain and simple. No taxpayers money wasted on these fools. Most of our goods are made in China. Why not adopt their way of getting rid of crime? So ironic, that the canadian government condems China on human rights and then sends them all of our buisness to give to slave labour.

Brown M.D.
said

This is a despicably inappropriate comment from a person of his rank. If he does not fully retract his statement, moves should be made to expel him from the Senate. If this is a reflection of the mentality within the Conservative Party, then I will cancel my membership.

KJ in Kingston Ontario
said

I bet if were put to a vote as many as two thirds would support allowing converted murderers to commit suicide if they so desired. The other third would want them eventually released -- but into a place far away from them of course.... The free rope in every cell is the best prison reform I can imagine...

old novice
said

Monsieur est malade dans la tete...He is really sick!He certainly deverse intensive care with his supporter.Is this the best the party can offer as a justice spoke-person to quebecers?

Karen
said

I don't feel like this is a good idea. For one thing, those who regret their actions enough to kill themselves are, I would think, unlikely to be repeat offenders. Those who don't regret it probably wouldn't take up the offer. So now you're offering death to those who could be safely released, and a possible weapon to those who couldn't. For another thing... Rope? If you're going to facilitate suicide, surely you could offer something a little more effective than strangulation. And yes, I'm aware I'm talking about murderers here - Just because they were cruel doesn't mean we ought to be. I dunno... I see too many flaws with this idea, and I fail to see much benefit.

Dev
said

if he was saying what he believed then i don't think he should be sorry it's his right to voice his personnel beliefs and i would have though more of him had he stuck by what he said and not gone back on it

dave mann
said

I agree whole heartedly with the senator, but why dont we extend the courtesy to child rapists as well..

unbelievable
said

This is exactly what politicians want and that is to pit us against each other, they are masters of manipulation. I am truly disgusted by the eye for an eye type of talk I am hearing.This Senator is inciting hatred and should be forced to retire.

E.L.
said

Or... we could address the social issues and conditions that contribute to people becoming murderers. I am not talking about serial killers.

Jimminy Cricket
said

That's absolutely sick. How can anyone support such an idea?

Noway
said

The victims of murderers did not have the luxury of deciding their fate. Why should we give murderers the choice of ending their miserable lives, by taking the easy way out? I completely disagree.

Jack T.
said

With all due respect, I believe the senator's judgement has been clouded by his traumatic experience related to his murdered daughter's death, thus placing him too close to the issue to be a proper victim's advocate. It is natural to hold certain feelings towards those who have purposely taken the life of another, but demanding blood for blood is nothing short of barbaric and infantile.

Eoin
said

What kind of rope should Dr. Charles Smith's victims have used?

d
said

Put me down as a supporter of his comment. While your at it have his name added to the Order of Canada nominee list.

mr_cb7
said

Cons talk about letting murderers take their own life, but legal euthanasia for people dying of various diseases isn't? Why? that could also save $$$ to the healthcare system?

Jeff
said

If even one innocent person is wrongfully executed, we will all be murderers.I really hope he isn't a Christian and none of these people who agree with him are, because it is the complete 180 of anything Jesus said

Dave in Ottawa
said

Jerk!

Welcome to tomorrow
said

You got to hand it to the Conservatives; they're experts at working the emotional levers. The corporate interests who own PM Harper are rubbing their hands and licking their chops, waiting to privatize and tear down everything that keeps this country stable and our quality of life among the world's best. All because of a bunch of easily riled supporters with a narrow and unrealistic world view. Ignorance is tyranny's greatest resource. Think twice before you start sneering and demanding the blood of others.

Andy
said

I cannot believe what other commentors are saying. Before the 1950s people thought there were convictions proven without a doubt that turned out to be wrong. And recently there have been cases where DNA evidence was incorrectly handled or tampered with that resulted in innocent people getting convicted (and the conviction overturned years later) This is a horrible idea and I don't want to give my tax dollars to kill people.

Let them hang
said

I would think this is a commonly held sentiment. Few people have sympathy for convicted killers, certainly not this Senator whose daughter was the victim of a murder. Good for him for speaking his mind. This has only made headlines because the opposition party is doing what most opposition parties do - being argumentative, making mountains out of molehills and trying to expose cracks in the system where none exist. The NDP needs to stop wasting their time, and ours, and start focusing their energy on issues that really matter.

Alberta Joe
said

Where do I send my money to buy the rope? About time someone said what the majority of Canadians believe.

Allan
said

He has my vote as well. If you are stupid enough to kill another person for no reason, then you are stupid enough to have your day with your maker. I am sure the people of Armstrong, BC are behind you 100%.

John
said

Count me in this also! I don't know why we house, feed and protect these killers from other inmates. If a vote was held on capital punishment, it would be brought back!!!!!!!

Karl
said

He is correct, If some one kills another person and there is clear evidence and motivation behind the killing, then that person should be hung, electrocuted, or lethal injection. Who cares if it causes pain, they obviously didn't care. Only a left wing voter would treat the murderer as the victim.

FCS
said

Most children by the age age of 2 know it's wrong to hurt other people and absolutely wrong to take another persons life. If as an adult you actively plan and then execute the murder of another human being you have just forfieted your rights to exist in civilized society. I no longer care what happens to you only that you are never free to do the same thing again. Predators like the people the senator is refering to are animals, period, and should be dealt with as such.

Smoke Rings - Ottawa
said

To anyone who has suffered losing a loved one to violence can no doubt agree with what the Senator has said, unfortunately unless and until a person can forgive (if possible) life will not move on hard as it is. Now if Pat Martin from the NDP would retract what he said about this Senator, but unfortunately he is only good at using foul language in the House of Commons...one cannot imagine having this man representing any clear thinking Canadian absolutely shameful what comes out of his mouth.

Gregg
said

Typical right-wing extremist. These are the types that need to ropes and let civilized Canadians focus on rehabilitation of those incarcerated.

Mark - Alberta
said

It was pathetic how both Turmel and Pat Martin of the NDP were complaining over his remarks. Did you see Turmel's face turn red in the Commons? Seems like she's more concerned about murderers like Bernardo than with the victims of crime. Another of the many reasons why I don't vote NDP. As far as I'm concerned since Boisvenu lost his daughter to a murderer, he is entitled to any comment he wants. The crying babies over the criminals have probably never lost a loved one to murder. As Trudeau said let the bleeding hearts bleed.

darwin
said

How about this - the death penalty is on the table for anyone convicted of multiple murders, multiple sex offences against children, or multiple violent sexual assaults. We don't need these people in the gene pool, and we certainly don't need our tax dollars supporting them in prison. By stipulating multiples, we essentially eliminate the risk of mistaken convictions, and allow the liberals a chance to rehabilitate the offender (once).

Colin
said

Yes and one day when you meet god he's going to ask you why you would have such hatred in your hearts to murder anyone. Murdering murderers does not stop anything. Lucky enough the baby boomers are going to die off soon and we will get a less Nazi oriented political party.

robin hood
said

Tell Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu I�ll be happy to drop him off one then

Here We Go
said

Wow, how all this has been spun out of context. But yes it appears there is a lot of support for at least harsher consequences for hardened criminasl, repeat offenders and multiple murderers.

david
said

You have my full support - thank you for your views. A eye for an eye.

Cameron
said

Send a rope to Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu so he can lead by example. Mail may be sent postage-free to any senator at the following address:Name of senator The Senate of CanadaOttawa, OntarioCanadaK1A 0A4

think straight
said

This man should never have been appointed to the senate. He has an axe to grind, not a policy to pursue. I find his attitude offensive and "Un-Canadian", and his actions in this matter immoral, and possibly illegal. I believe that Harper's contempt for the democratic processes of Canada has led him to stack our Federal Courts with zealots who share his twisted moral ideology, and the Senate with poor candidates so as to undermine Canadians' confidence in this critical institution. Boisvenu's statements and behaviour detract from the efforts grieving families are making to come to grips with these tragic events in their lives. If his personal circumstances prevent him from doing his job properly, he aught to resign.

DJ
said

unbelievable....what an ignoramous, I can think of multiple reasons why this is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard from a government official and all the non-thinking sheep that support him.

Sam
said

He said what many are thinking including me. The criminals get awa y with murder, they nevere had it so good until they were incarcinated. Buy lots of rope.

Original Canadien
said

Moi aussi! Count me in as a supporter! For those "against" the concept, I'd suggest they consider why they care so much to protect criminals likeBernardo and Clifford Olson - seriously. It is one thing to be humane, it is another to waste energy and resources on things that cannot be released under any circumstances.

Brent
said

The trouble with Canada lies in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Many in Canada live by "rights without responsibility". I agree with the Senator, hang 'em, and do so publicly!

Wilson
said

There's nothing wrong with the Senator's comment/suggestion. If we were a little less tolerant of crime (of any degree), perhaps we'd have a little less crime. If as an adult you can't make a simple distinction between right and wrong and abide by the social contract, we as society have no use of you and you should be done away with; simple as that.

Perspective
said

This is coming from the same conservative party who does not want to allow terminal illness sufferers to get assisted suicide! Let the terminally ill die in horrible suffering while we will help criminals to stop the pain of a life imprisonment by helping them commit suicide! Common Harper supporters, can you look at yourselves in a mirror without being ashamed?

hvcalgary
said

Capital punishment has the opposite affect on murder rates than one would expect. Murder rates actually increase for a variety of reasons when it is brought in. Instead of assuming that people against the death penalty feel this way because of sentiment, consider that many of us see it as counterproductive. It is also the case that many people have been convicted 'without a reasonable doubt' only to be proven innocent years later.

Debbie
said

It's barbaric. Murder is murder even if it's sanctioned by the government. To hang a prisoner reduces you to their level and you become morally corrupt. The commandment, "Thou shalt not kill" applies to everyone. It's very sad that his daughter was murdered but that doesn't give anyone the right to murder the guilty man. Perhaps he should seek psychological help rather than revenge.

Alexis in Victoria
said

Right on, Mr. Senator! Let the prisoner decide! I'm with you on that one! Save the taxpayer some money!

James
said

500 to 600 people with time to kill are representative of the entire Canadian population? I suppose it was naive of me to expect a Con to have a grade school understanding of statistics. This does explain the Conservative war on Statistics Canada though...

Hobbes
said

One of Canada's biggest mistakes in the Trudeau years was to abolish the death penalty. We need to have it on the books for the likes of Olsen,,Picton, Williams and Bernardo. I do not advocate using it in every instance of pre-meditated murder, but the judges need to have the capacity to issue a death sentence in cases that make you nauseous. I think prosecutors should appeal all the way to the Supreme Court when such is warranted. It was "the talking heads", chattering classes and academics, plus the bleeding hearts that passed banishment in the first place, not the ordinary working person.

Andrew
said

When I read articles about Killers and Child Murderers (as well as molesters) seeking forgiveness; while proclaiming they understand the damage they have done. I have always though if that were true, they would have committed suicide for the damage and the evilness they have been a part of. The apologies of murderers and child molesters are just empty words.

yves
said

senator Boivenu as not gone far enough, hang the murderer, give a jar of Vaseline to the rapist or to the pimp, castrate the child molesters overdose the drug pusher, bring canning to others. maybe if the laws would be severe enough, people would think twice before committing anything.

Niagara George
said

.Here we have another one, in a string of very heart-breaking days for Canada, under this reactionary, backward-looking Conservative government. When a senator gives voice to the opinions of non-thinking, right-wing fanatics, we have reached a new low.

John
said

Yup, imagine how much better it would have been if we had executed Steven Truscott or David Milgaard, as they were both proven "without a shadow of a doubt" to their crimes...OH WAIT.....

Adam
said

I support your Idea. I salute your courage for voicing it. Let the guilty accept the cost of their deeds.

jjaycee
said

Considering this man's personal family history with a kidnapper and muderer, who can blame him.

Sk Guy
said

That's funny, Marc Bissonnette, because I'm 39, and not only was I alive while this question was being settled, I was voting age for much of it: 1976, Canada outlaws civil capital punishment, 1998, Canada outlaws military capital punishment, 2002, Parliament reopens debate on capital punishment (remains abolished, but nowhere near unanimously). What country are you talking about?

Dave in Alberta
said

Marc I agree with you too. My voice has not been heard and I sure would like to have a vote on it. Rope is cheap.

M S in Ontario
said

I think this Senator is right on the money. O course your bleeding heart NDPers and soft on crime Liberal would rather let these killers out and tell them not to do it again. Give these killers the rope and let them do whar ever.

BLM Ontario
said

@Marc - well said! Personally it's not so much the rope idea I'm in support of, but do I understand the senator's point of view, and am I in favour of capital punishment? ABSOLUTELY!

Marc
said

I don't think this counts as the death penalty. This is self-dealth penalty. If you are going to be miserable for the next 20 years, and want to go. Go!Less costs to the taxpayer.Preventing them from doing is only harming the public.The real question is: Before or after the trial. Some families would want to hear the justice.

roz said
said

Add my support with Senator Boisvenu. I also would like to add my opinion that murderers languishing in jails for life costs the taxpayers a fortune of money. I

Scott in TO
said

I too support his Let-killers-hang idea as well.

URU
said

YES, we should bring back capital punishment. Its only fair - an eye for an eye ONLY IF PROVEN GUILTY WITH EVIDENCE SUPPORT! Too lax laws are causing chaos in today's society and producing too many violent crimes and criminals on the streets of TO and cities all over our country! Less Human Rights and lets focus on safety for all hard working citizens.

Ottawa Jack
said

There is nothing wrong with providing e convicted killer with the option to use. or not use, the rope. That would certainly be more options than their victims ever had.

Russ
said

Just what the world needs, another rightwing NUT.

steve
said

i guess his apology was not heartfelt. listen everyone, i understand what has happened to this poor man in the past ( the unthinkable ) and if i was in his shoes i would want time alone with the scumbag who did this, but as a senator you just cannot say these things and i did not know the population of canada was 500 to 600 people so stop talking about all the support you have. the conservatives keep talking about how us canadians feel when only about 35 % feel that away about their ideas. knock it off, you dont speak for me. by the way i am for capital punishment for the 100 % proven guilty not the 99%.

J NB
said

First, I'm totally for thisSecond, learn to stick to your guns and do not apologize because you "might" have hurt someones feelings. This is a solution with merit not some random political throw up and it sucks when even the person that said it doesn't have the balls to follow through.

Mike
said

I'll pay for the rope.

Evan
said

Well. I am for and against. Would like proven killers delt with. Life for a life like the old days

Marc Bissonnette
said

And I just added my voice of support to his parliamentary email box, as well. The left wing, bleeding heart, murderer-friendly NDP like to say that the death penalty issue was 'settled' decades ago: Guess what, folks: That was before I was born (I am forty) - *MY* voice hasn't been heard; *MY* vote hasn't been counted. Modern technology has advanced lightyears since the 1950's - Capital punishment laws could certainly be written in such a way where only murderers convicted with clear and incontrovertible physical evidence would be eligible for the ultimate penalty. Mr Boivenus was simply voicing what millions of Canadians agree with, but have not had *their* voices or votes counted, either.

Matthew
said

Really a lot of these criminals who are convicted based on DNA evidence and are proven without a doubt to be guilty should be given the death penalty in my opinion. Most of them end up out on parole in 20 years any way. Capital punishment should be brought back to deal with those in the system who cant be helped and dont deserve to be around after their crimes like serial killers.

Respect your life
said

Absolutely! People that cause such a huge loss to Canadian society should be treated as such. Mail out ropes to every prison and conservative. Lets try and do the right thing here, even if it hurts right?

KC
said

I agree with the Senator, Canada is too soft on dangerous criminals. May have been anoff the comment but it rings true with a lot of citizens

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